On Thursday, the Ultimate Fighting Championship made it’s official announcement for the promotions first trip to Boston with “UFC 118: Edgar vs. Penn 2.” The even will take place at the TD Garden in Boston, Mass. on Aug. 28.
The event features a UFC lightweight title rematch between current champ Frankie Edgar and former champ BJ Penn, who lost to Edgar in April at UFC 112 via unanimous decision. Co-headlining the Boston show will be a heavyweight matchup featuring UFC legend Randy Couture, who steps into the octagon against boxing champion James “Lights Out” Toney who will make his mixed martial arts debut at the August event.
In a press release from the UFC, it’s president, Dana White, praised the city of Boston and explained how excited he was about a couple of the fighters on the card.
“Without a doubt, August 28th will be one of the highlights of my career, I’m thrilled to bring the UFC to Boston for the first time in our history,” said Dana White, UFC President. “Boston is one of the world’s greatest fight towns, fans only expect the best, and we are bringing it with the rematch between BJ Penn and Frankie Edgar, and the Octagon-debut of boxing legend James Toney vs. one of the greatest UFC heavyweights of all-time, Randy Couture.”
“Frankie pulled off the upset of the year when he beat BJ in April, and I know that both of these guys are coming to Boston with something to prove – Frankie wants to cement his place at the top of the division, and BJ wants to show that his loss was just a fluke – so this is going to be one to remember,” said White.
“Toney is a real fighter, a future Hall of Famer, and the most accomplished boxer ever to fight in the UFC, and I think everyone’s curious to see what he can do against Couture’s wrestling and ground and pound attack. Toney promised me that he’s coming to win, and knowing him like I do, I would never count him out,” said White.
Coinciding with UFC 118 in Boston, will be the third ever UFC Fan Expo which will be held at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston, Mass. on Friday Aug. 27, and Saturday, Aug. 28.
As the world’s premier MMA event, the UFC Fan Expo provides millions of fans the opportunity to experience, celebrate, learn and rub shoulders with some of the most exciting athletes in sports today. Fans will take advantage of all the UFC has to offer through a jam-packed weekend of events including exhibitions, training & development sessions with elite fighters and iconic MMA coaches, fan-inspired special events and competitions, meet & greets with top fighters and demos of various fighting techniques.